I know that everyone is probably tired of reading about this, but, well, it is an important part of my life and I promise, once I’ve talked about it I will get back to the knitting content (because there is some!)

Today was the funeral.  Seeing the casket for the first time was so difficult. Knowing that Dad’s body was in there. I know that “he” wasn’t in there, that it was only the shell of him that was there. It was very hard to keep it together and I had quite a few moments where I was crying very hard and others where there was some laughter.  Cameron asked “mommy why is water coming from your eyes” and I said that I was just sad. It was so cute.

I also had to explain to Cameron about where his Papa was.  That his body was in the casket but his soul is now with the angels up in the sky.  He wanted to see the stars where Papa was but because it was daylight they weren’t out.  I explained that Papa would look over us like the sun and the moon do.  That no matter what he would be here for us.

The eulogy was beautiful and I’ll post it here once I get a copy of it.

As for knitting.  I haven’t gotten much done but I have been slowly working away on a project. I think that is what has helped keep me sane.

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TABOR, DONALD FRANK
APRIL 3, 1953 - JANUARY 18, 2007
Your battle now has ended
Your sword can finally rest
God has called you to Him
He knows you’ve done your best
Surrounded by your loved ones
With love your life was blessed
As heaven’s door swings open
You’ve answered God’s request
It is with great sadness that the family of Don Tabor announce his passing. Don will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Mary Ellen, his children Morgan, Kailey and Kyle, and his grandson Cameron. He is survived by his parents Norm and Pearl Tabor, sister Tannis (Dave) Benson all of Grande Prairie, AB, brother Jim (Betty) Tabor of Northern Ontario and father and mother in law Tony and Elaine Greggain of Fort Erie, ON, along with numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Special thank you to Don’s caregivers, Dr. Peter Cossman and Palliative Response Team for all their kindness and support. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Pius X Church, 1077 Fuller Ave. with Father Andrew Walner officiating. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holding Hands for Hospice Campaign, 2020-1456 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2E6. A gift in living memory of Don will be made to “Holding Hands for Hospice” by Springfield Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com. 250-860-7077

*thank you to everyone who has sent me an email or who has left a comment. I will get back to all of you. I promise. It probably won’t be till next week though.*

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 1954 - 2007 

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and my dad can’t die on it.  He can die today. He can die Saturday. But not tomorrow.

Things are not going well.  He sounds like he is breathing underwater. All gurgling and barely able to speak.  I am so sad.  But I am putting on my happy face.  We talked yesterday where I told him that I loved him more than he’ll know.  That we will be ok.

I fucking hate this. Hate it.  Both of my dads are dying and its not fucking fair. (okay that was all the ranting strength that I had).

I have my Venezia class tonight at the yarn store.  I don’t want to go. Would rather go home and sleep.  Which makes me know that I have to go and be around friends. Knit. And just try to be normal.

So yes. Tomorrow is my birthday and my dad can’t die.

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For my Tangerine Dreams girl. This is who Clara Barton was: 

Clara Harlowe Barton was born on December 25, 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts. In her long career of public service Miss Barton was successively a teacher, battlefield nurse, lecturer, and finally organizer and president of the American Red Cross.

As a child Clara played nurse, taking care of pets that were sick or injured. When she was eleven her brother fell from a barn roof and Clara nursed him throughout a two-year convalescence. During the American Civil War Clara was a battlefield nurse. She delivered medical supplies and food, staying with the wounded until they were carried to safety. She was called the “Angel of the battlefield.”

Miss Barton volunteered for the International Red Cross (IRC) while on a trip to Europe in 1870. She helped refugees of the Franco-Prussian War in Paris and other cities. She returned to America in 1873, and in 1877 IRC authorities invited her to establish an American Red Cross. For the next 23 years Miss Barton organized and led the Red Cross, personally leading many relief expeditions to victims of forest fire, flood, hurricane and war. In 1904, at age 82, she resigned her post.

Barton spent the remaining years of her life at Glen Echo, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., where she died in 1912 at the age of 91. Her body was taken back to Oxford, Massachusetts for burial. Clara Barton will be remembered for her strong leadership of the American Red Cross, and her great philanthropic accomplishments throughout her life.

 from: Lucid Cafe

Pretty cool lady! And mom LOVED the sweater. She is so tickled to have it. I loved being able to put such a smile on her face.

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Hold onto your hats people. There is a finished object. Your eyes are not deceiving you. Let me present to you all …

Emerald by Amy Swensen.
Knitty Winter 2006″Esperanza”
70% lambswool, 30% alpaca
One 8 oz. skein - 280 yards (sweater quantity is 5 skeins) but I used just under 4.

Started: December 20, 2006
Finished: January 13, 2007
Bulky weight - 3-3.5 St/in.
Needle size: US #10.5
Color: Clara Barton

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Yes I am SO glad that it is friday. Why? Because I get to sleep in this weekend if I want. I can read all day long in my pj’s. I can knit. I can spin. I can … relax!

 

 

 It took me three days … THREE … to drink this container of water.  I am sadly lacking in the water department.  Did you know, that once you are thirsty you are already dehydrated? I guess I shouldn’t have cracked that pop I’m currently drinking to quench my thirst *g*.  I really need to boost it up.  Cathy (the one in the picture below) and I are always joking about our water consumption by asking each other “what color is your p today” … We are a bit sick and twisted but we laugh hysterically every time.  We have even thought to post it on the mirror in the bathroom  here at work. 

But I know you all don’t care to talk about that! Knitting. My how I have been knitting.  I am “THIS CLOSE” to being done mom’s sweater. I was hoping that I would get it done last night but there are short rows in the collar which of course take longer to complete than I expected.  I did get the button for it though last night and it should be done completely tonight.  I want it done for a few reasons: 1) my mom needs the comfort of me wrapped around her. StepDaddy started Chemo and Radiation treatment this week. 2) I want to knit something else 3) I want to have a FO in January (I’m aiming for at least one a month) and 4) I still have not cracked open my Victoria wheel. I know. Amazing that I have had such restraint!!

Lunchtime Knitting

 

This is “Amy’s Basic Cardigan” pattern that I am working in the Curious Creek wool/silk blend.  OMG is it ever luscious to knit with.  I love it so much.  I have just started my second skein of yarn. Each one has over 200 yds and I got 5 of them so I’m hoping I’ll be ok with what I’ve got.  Amy made her’s with just under 4 I think and I’d make mine a tad bit longer.  This is a super quick knit.  I started it last weekend and have only been knitting it at lunch or when I am stuck in traffic.  

As for everything else.  Its going.  And I want a nap.  Or just to curl up at home and knit.

 

ps. did you notice down on the very bottom. I finally did a knitters code and added the DY for dyeing at the end.

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